After Exposure of an Impacted Tooth

SUMMARY OF POST-OPERATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

PRESCRIPTIONS

Please fill the prescriptions provided. It is best to take pain medication and antibiotics with some food in the stomach such as milk shakes, lukewarm soups, etc.; otherwise, these medications may cause some degree of nausea.

Pain medication:

The patient is to take to 1 tablet of the pain pill approximately four hours after the procedure and then every four to six hours thereafter, if needed for discomfort.

Antibiotics:

If given, antibiotics should be initiated within one hour of the procedure and then taken as directed thereafter.

Oral Mouth Rinse:

The directions for any oral rinsing with prescription mouthwash will be covered in the section under Wound Care.

CONTROL OF BLEEDING

Place a folded gauze pad over the surgery site and place pressure over the surgery site itself. Make sure the gauze is properly positioned by moving it with your finger so that it is directly over the surgery site and not just between the teeth. Change the gauze about every hour until the bleeding slows down. This usually takes at least three to four hours.

WOUND CARE

The prescription mouthwash provided is to be used beginning the night of the surgery and is to be used morning and evening thereafter. The prescription mouthwash can have somewhat of a bitter taste and it is best to eat, drink, brush your teeth and then utilize the mouthwash. It is best not to eat or drink anything for an hour after using the mouth rinse.

A syringe is provided for your use in maintaining cleanliness of the surgery site. This syringe is to be filled with a salt-water solution and irrigation of the surgery sites should be started the morning after your procedure. A salt-water solution of tsp. of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water should be drawn into the syringe and the tip of the syringe placed over the surgery site or within the surgery site if a hole is present. The salt-water solution should be forcefully irrigated into the surgery site to flush out any debris or food particles that may be present in the area. This helps to prevent both infections and dry sockets.

DIET

While the numbness from local anesthesia is present, we request that the patient have only liquids, milk shakes, lukewarm soups, etc. When the numbness goes away which is usually four to eight hours after the procedure very soft foods can be chewed. Usually nothing harder than spaghetti noodle consistency is best. A few days after the procedure, firmer foods can be chewed. If it is uncomfortable to chew a particular item, then we suggest that the diet be changed to a softer food.